Tips for Greening Your Business this Earth Day

MIAMI, Florida – (March 21, 2016) – It is estimated that the average office worker uses around 10,000 sheets of paper each year. Most people have no clue how much they are actually using, or how much is being wasted. But it doesn’t stop there. The corporate world is a hotbed of activity when it comes to using materials and ingredients that are not sustainable, recyclable or earth friendly. Earth Day is April 22nd, making it a great time for re-evaluating the office to see what steps can be taken to make it a bit more environmentally friendly.

“By caring deeply about our environment and its effect on your health, we have dedicated ourselves to providing consumers with innovative and proven alternatives to fluoride-based products,” said Dr. Bruno Sharp, a fourth-generation dentist who created a line of products called Dr. Sharp Dentistry, and is celebrating their 10th year as a Natural Oral Care provider. “That’s why our toothpastes and mouthwashes are made with natural ingredients and herbals that harness many of the restorative and nurturing qualities found in nature.”

That’s where the green efforts start for Dr. Sharp, but that’s not where they end. In his eco-friendly business, they have also taken measures to ensure that all of their products are vegan, not tested on animals, all of the tubes and bottles are BPA-free, that all of the packaging and components are recyclable, and that their toothpaste boxes are printed using soy ink. A company serious about sustainability and being eco-friendly, they have taken measures at all corners to make their products as earth friendly as possible.

Here are some tips for greening your business this Earth Day:

Look for ways to opt for energy efficient upgrades. This includes any appliances, heat and cooling, etc. An old air conditioner, for example, is going to take a lot more energy to keep the office cool than a newer energy efficient model. While some may shy away from the initial expense, it can save the company money in the long run because the new unit will save money each month.

Consider the paper situation in the office. Go paperless as much as possible, use both sides of each sheet, reduce the margins so more fits on a page, and purchase paper that has been made with post-consumer recycled materials.

Purchase products that are made from recycled materials as often as possible. Today’s office supply stores offer many options, including recycled paper, envelopes, ink pens, and more. The only way the recycling efforts work is if there is a buyer for products made out of the recycled materials, so be a part of that process.

If your company makes a product or offers a service, evaluate how environmentally friendly it is and see where changes can be made. Perhaps there are packaging or ingredient changes that can be made that keep the integrity of the product, buy that are better on the planet.

Opt for green marketing, which includes reviewing the packaging for any shipping being done. Consider labels, inks being used in the printing process, and looking for ways that help reduce putting things out that people won’t use. For example, there are hundreds of little plastic gadgets that you can buy with your company name on them to hand out to people.

However, most never use them and they end up in landfills, where they will sit forever because the plastic doesn’t biodegrade. When purchasing business cards, marketing materials, and fun products to promote your business, opt for those that are environmentally friendly.

If your office is not already recycling, make it an office-wide commitment. Contact your local recycling center to see what the process is for having the items picked up each week. Be sure to also have your old electronics and fluorescent light bulbs recycled.
Take a look around the corporate kitchen and ditch any disposables that are not eco friendly. Things like Styrofoam and plastic sit in landfills, rather than decomposing. Replace them with reusable or the environmentally friendly options that you can buy in bulk online (they are made out of corn and are biodegradable).

If you have many employees who are commuting to work, create a carpool group that will encourage people to ride together.

“No matter what type of industry someone is in, there are ways they can green their business,” explains Dr. Sharp. “The good news is that all efforts pay off and we all benefit from every step taken to preserve our planet and resources, as well as to avoid harmful chemicals and ingredients. Let’s keep the mindset that it’s Earth Day every day!”

The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is a green living expert, celebrity and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author, Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and a Environmental Consultant on green living. The Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides and more. Seth's books range from:
# Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions)
# Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle by Seth Leitman
# Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel
# Green Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky
# Solar Power For Your Home by David Findley
# Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke
# Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley
# Build Your Own Small Wind Power System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea
# and more green living books to follow.

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The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is a green living expert, celebrity and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author, Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and a Environmental Consultant on green living. The Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides and more. Seth's books range from:
# Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions)
# Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle by Seth Leitman
# Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel
# Green Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky
# Solar Power For Your Home by David Findley
# Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke
# Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley
# Build Your Own Small Wind Power System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea
# and more green living books to follow.